Resilient wheel for vehicles.



J. F. & E. SIPE. RESILIENT WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1911.

1, 1 32, 1 27, Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

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J.F.&H.E.SI. RESILIENI WHEEL FOR V LES.

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RESILIENT WHEEL FOE VEHICLES.

APPLIC'ATION FILED JUNE30 1911 1,1 32, 127

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BESILIENT WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed June 30, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. SIPE and HARRY E. Sirn, citizens of the United States, and residents of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Resilient l Vheels for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in resilient wheels for vehicles, and the objects of the same are to provide a wheel in which all of the springs operate together, each carrying its full share of the load all of the time without any material wear on the springs; to provide a structure in which the springs are attached and detached without the use of any bolts, nuts, screws or rivets; to provide a structure in which the wearing parts are replaced readily and without the use of any fastening devices such as bolts, nuts, screws or rivets; to provide universal connections between the two members of the wheel which can be attached and detached without the use of such fastening devices; to provide means for readily replacing a broken spring; to provide a spring wheel having great lateral strength; to provide universal connections in which the bearing surfaces remain constant without regard to the angle or direction of the pull, and in which there are full bearing surfaces no matter what the direction of the pull may be, and in which the universal connections will not become loose through wear; to reduce to a minimum the parts that will require replacement on account of wear; to provide universal connections with removable socket or face plates and removable bearings that can readily be replaced without the use of fastening devices; to provide bearings that will produce the least possible friction and yet wear for a long period of time; to provide a means whereby the wearing parts of the bearings may be suitably hardened without hardening the entire fixture; and to provide a spring wheel which is very narrow and compact in form.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figures 1 to 5 inclusive show the preferred embodiment of our invention; Figs. 6 and 7 show a modification of the invention, and Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive show another modification of the invention. Fig. 1 is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

Serial No. 636,181.

side view or elevation of a portion of a spring wheel embodying the best form of our invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on the line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3 is a plan View of one of the connecting members; Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section of the connecting member made on the line 44 of Fig. 3, showing one of the balls in section and the other in side elevation; Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the connecting member on the line 55 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow, and Fig. 5' is a front view of the socketed head of one of the levers or arms, showing the removable face plate. Fig. 6 is a side or elevation view of a part of the wheel showing a second embodiment of our invention; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the same on the line 77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a side or elevation view of a part of a wheel showing a third embodiment of our invention; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the same on the line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a plan view of a modified form of connecting member used in this modification; Fig. 11 is an end view of this form of connecting member; and Fig. 12 is an end view of the connecting member and its connected ball and disk before the coiled spring has been attached thereto.

Similar numbers denote similar parts in the different figures.

The best form of our invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Referring to these figures, 1 is the hub of a wheel; 2, 2 are the spokes of a Wheel; 3 is a wooden felly to which the spokes are attached in any suitable way; 4 is a steel tire, T-shaped in cross-section, which is shrunk on to the periphery of the felly 3. The stem or upright member of this T-shaped tire lies within the plane of the wheel. The parts already described constitute a main wheel member containing a hub. We make this member slightly smaller in diameter than the ordinary automobile wheel. 5, 5 are steel brackets which are attached to the inner side of the felly 3 by bolts 6, or in any other suitable manner. One of these brackets 5 is attached to the felly 3 in each space between adjoining spokes of the wheel as shown in Fig. 1. Each bracket 5 is provided with four arms 7, 7 two projecting from the bracket on one side of the wheel, and the other two projecting from the bracket on the other side of the wheel. These armsfurnish bearings for the pivoted levers. 8, 8 are pivoted or hinged arms or levers. These levers are hinged or pivoted in "bearings 9 in the arms 7. There is a series of these levers on each side of the wheel as represented in Fig. 1, and they are alternately disposed on opposite sides of the wheel. These arms or levers project outwardly or radially from the hub member. The outer end of the lever 8 is provided with a socketed head 10. This socket is semi-spherical in form. When the complete invention is employed we form the socket by means of a removable face plate ll'which is made of steel and can be hardened to a much greater degree than would be possible if the entire lever or fixture had to be hardened, thereby enabling this face plate to withstand the wear of the universal joint or connection most effectively. The head 10 of the lever is provided with a recess or socket adapted to receive the face plate 11. This face plate is clearly shown in Fig. 5*. It is provided with a flange extending about three-fourths of the 1 way around it. The shoulder formed by the lower part of this flange rests against a shoulder 12 on the upper end of the lever 8. This shoulder prevents'the turning of the face plate in the socket, and the flange on the face plate prevents the tipping or other displacement of the plate in the socket.

The socket in this face plate is semi-spherical in form and is adapted to be fitted perfectly by a three-eighths of an inch steel ball attached to the connecting member hereafter to be described. The face plate can be tempered or case-hardened so as to withstand the wear. The face plate can easily be slipped in place in the head of the lever and can be easily removed and replaced when it has become worn. This face plate is easily removable and is held in place without the use of any bolt or nut or other fastening device. It forms one part of the universal connection between the two members of the wheel. 13, 13 are coiled compression springs which are arranged parallel with the axis of the wheel and are placed between the levers 8 and the upright portion of the tire 4L. Bosses 11, 14: are placed uponthe upright part of the tire 1 and also upon the lever 8 over which the ends of the springs 13 can be slipped so as to hold these springs from lateral displacement. The

lever 8 is also preferably provided with flanges 15 to receive the outer ends of the springs 18 and to aid in holding these springs from lateral displacement. The form of the lever 8 is clearly shown in Fig. 1. It is preferably widened out near its outer end by means of the wings 16 so that three springs 13 may be used between each lever 8 and the steel tire as clearly represented in Fig. 1. The springs 13 tend to press the levers 8 outwardly so as to force the socket in the head of the lever against the ball which engages with it. These springs act as cushioning devices and are held in place by means of their own tension or resistance without the use of any nuts, bolts or similar fastening devices. lVhen any one of these springs is broken or becomes worn, it'can easily be replaced with another spring.

Any other suitable form of cushioning device can be used in place of the springs 13, although we prefer to use the coiled compression springs.

17 is a wooden felly. 18, 18 are two steel side plates which are annular in form and of two materials of different consistency such, for example, as iron and rubber compound, although any suitable tread proper may be employed. The parts numbered 17 to 20 inclusive form a main wheel member containing a tread. 21, 21 are arms or brackets projecting inwardly from the tread member. There are two series of these brackets, one series on each side of the wheel. These brackets are alternately disposed on opposite sides of the wheel. The brackets on one side of the wheel are placed opposite the levers 8 projecting from the hub member on the other side of the wheel. The brackets 21 are attached to the tread member in any suitable manner. As shown in the drawings they are fastened against the side plates 18 by means of the rivets 22 which pass horizontally through the bracket, side plates and felly, and also by means of the rivets 23 which pass radially through the bracket and the felly. The bracket 21 is provided with a socket 21 similar to the socketed head 10 of the lever 8. The head 21 is preferably provided with a removable face plate 25 similar in all respects to the'removable face plate 11 already described. This face plate 25 is adapted to fit into a recess or socket in the head 24, and is provided with a flange similar to the flange on the face plate 11, and 1 easily removed or replaced and is held in place without the use of any nut, screw or other fastening device.

27 is a connecting link member which is adapted to connect the arms or levers which project from the hub member, with the arms that project from the tread member by means of universal joints or connections. The member 27 is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. It consists of a rectangular wire or metal frame made of steel. 28, 28 are two side pieces. 29, 29 are end pieces and 30, 30 are cross-pieces all made of a single piece of metal. The end pieces 29 are widened at their middle portion as shown in Fig. 5, and are provided with openings 31 adapted to receive and nicely fit the stems 32 of spherical balls 33. These balls are made of tempered steel and are preferably threeeighths of an inch in diameter. The crosspieces 30 are so shaped as to form a space between themselves and the balls adapted to receive and to nicely fit the socketed heads of the lever 8 and the brackets 21. The ball 33 and its stem 32 are provided with a longitudinal lubricating passage 34 adapted to receive and hold oil or other lubricating material, and the outer end of the opening 31 in the end piece of the connecting member is provided with a cap 35 adapted to be screwed in place or otherwise fastened by means of which the lubricant is held in place in the passage 34, see Fig. 4.

In connecting the two members of the wheel the member 27 is slipped or sprung in place over the socketed head 10 of one of the levers 8 and over the socketed head 24 of the corresponding bracket 21 on the opposite side of the wheel. This is done by forcing the lever 8 inwardly on its pivot or hinge so as to compress the springs 13 so that they are practically closed. v The connecting member can then be slipped or sprung over the head 10 of the lever and over the head 24 of the corresponding bracket so that the balls 33 will be slipped into the sockets in the lever and the bracket. This is accomplished without the use of any nuts or bolts or other fastening devices. It results from this construction that the connecting members can be put on or taken off only at certain positions, namely, at the highest or lowest point of the wheel, and this can be done only when the hub member is at a position corresponding with the position which it assumes when under its normal load, that is to say, when the hub member is eccentric relative to the tread member to the extent of about half an inch. We have found that these parts can be attached or detached only in the manner just stated, as a result of which it follows that when these parts are once attached there is no danger of their becoming detached. The parts are held together solely by the tension or resistance of the springs. These springs are put under such initial tension that when they are in their normal or neutral position they are compressed about a quarter of an inch. As a result of this it is impossible for these parts to ever come apart in the actual operation of the wheel.

When the wheel is assembled, the connecting members are substantially parallel with the axis of the wheel and are practically at right angles to the levers and brackets which they connect so that the movement of the levers about their fulcrums compresses the springs in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel. The balls of the universal connections are joined to their supporting part on the side opposite the bearing surface of the ball. The sockets in the levers and brackets face outwardly and the balls face or project inwardly toward the middle of the connecting member and the balls thus bear inwardly against the other parts of the universal connections.

As a result of this construction many advantages are secured including those which are enumerated in the second paragraph of this specification. The ball and socket connection in which the ball is connected to its supporting device on the side opposite its wearing surface, offers a great advantage over all other universal connections since it provides a larger bearing surface with minimum friction, and as the pull is in all directions the tendency is to wear straight through the socket; thus the parts never be- J come loose and no lost motion or noise or extra friction is produced thereby. This form of universal joint permits of a very wide range of action and is very durable. The face plates or socket plates, and the balls themselves, are removable, and these members can therefore be tempered and hardened to a degree to most successfully stand wear and can be easily replaced. The parts are attached and detached without the employment of screws, bolts, nuts or other similar fastening devices. The springs are placed between two plates, and the only wear upon the springs is that which is produced by compressing them longitudinally, as a result of which the wear is so trifling as to be negligible. The movement of the levers 8 at the point of their attachment to the hub member is only a sixty-fourth of an inch in case of extreme shocks or maximum movement between the wheel members, and the wear on these parts, and the friction, are 30 small as to produce no material effect.

In Figs. 6 and 7 we have shown a modification of our invention. In this modification the tread member and its projecting arms or brackets 21 and the connecting member 27 are constructed in the manner already described. In this form T-shaped head 10 and the removable face plate 11 of the form shown in Fig. 2. 40, are

coiled springs placed between the steel tire 4 and the plates 36 as shown in Fig. 7. There is a series of these coiled springs placed around the wheel on each side of the tire 4. Any suitable number of springs may a be used in each series. When a load is placed upon the wheel the connecting member 27 tends to swing out of its horizontal position and tends to force the plate 36 toward the tire 4, compressing the spring 40. The spring 40 tends to resist this movement and thus produces the cushioning effect. This form of the invention is not as desirable as the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 as there is a greater torsional or side strain produced on the springs 40. But some of the advantages of our invention are nevertheless secured by this construction.

Another modification of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive. In this form the felly 17 the-side plates 18, the tire 19, and the tread 20, are constructed substantially inthemanner already described except that the felly 17 is not rounded on its inner surface and the side plates 18 are made somewhat deeper. 41, 41 are arms projecting outwardly from the tire 4 of the hub member; they are bolted or otherwise secured to the tire 4. Their outer ends are provided with socketed heads containing semi-spherical sockets substantially the same in form as the socketed head of the lever 8 shown in Fig. 2. In the form shown in Fig. 9 these socketed heads are not provided with face plates, but it will be understood that removable face plates may be used with them similar to the face plate 11 shown in Fig. 2. 42, 42 are arms projecting inwardly from the tread member. They are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the felly 17 and the side plates 18' of the tread: member.,

The arms 42 carry at their lower ends the annular plates 43 which extend around the wheel, one on each side of the hub member. 44 are arms which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the plates 43 as shown. 45,45 are washers or rings interposed between the plates 43 and the arms 44. The

upper ends of the arms 44 are provided with socketed heads 46, 46 adapted to receive the balls of the universal joints. These socketed heads are shown in Fig. 9 as having no removable face plates, but they may be provided with removable face plates such as the face plate 11 shown in Fig. 2 if preferred. 47, 47 are coiled springs adapted to connect the socketed heads of the arms 41 with the socketed heads of the arms 44. The ends of these coiled springs 47 are bent around and are provided at their extremities with balls 48 as shown in Fig. .9 adapted to fit into the sockets in the .arms 41 and 44 and form universal joints with those sockets. In Figs. 10, 11' and 12 we have shown another form of spring device which may be substituted in place of the spring 47. In this device 49 is a coiled spring the ends of which are coiled around the disks 50 :as shown. These disks are provided with rings 51 projecting at right angles from the disks. The rings .51 have tapered pins52 projecting inwardly from their outer side, upon which are slipped the removable balls 53. When this form of spring is used the balls 53 are slipped in place on pins 52 and the rings 51 are then slipped or sprung over the socketed heads of the arms 41 and 44 so that the balls 53 fit into the sockets of the arms 41 and 44. 54 shows a form of bolt that may be used for fastening the tire 19 to the felly 17, this bolt being provided with a screw thread at its inner end upon which can be screwed the nut 55 which is held in place by the pin 56 passing through holes in the nut 55 and the bolt 54 as shown. The

form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 12 is not as desirable as the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5*, inasmuch as the springs are subjected to aheavy torsional or side strain, but this form of our invention illustrates another way in which our universal joints may be embodied in a resilient wheel.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: r

1. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, suitable cushioning devices, a plurality of connecting members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, universal connections joining the connecting members to the main wheel members, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball supported'from the side opposite to its bearing surface, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bearv inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections in the op eration of the wheel.

2. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheelmember containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a plurality of connectingv members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel,

universal connections joining the connecting members to the main wheel members, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, and a removable face plate for the socket, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections in the operation of the wheel.

3. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, suitable cushioning devices, a plurality of connecting members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, universal connections joining the connecting members to the main wheel members, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, and being removably attached to its support, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections in the operation of the wheel.

4:. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main Wheel member containing a tread, suitable cushioning devices, a plurality of connecting members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, universal connections joining the connecting members to the main wheel members, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts 0]": the universal connections in the operation of the wheel, all of the parts named being held together by the tension of the cushioning devices alone whereby the parts can be assembled or separated simply by overcoming the pressure of the cushioning devices.

5. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main Wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, and a plurality of connecting link members extending approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, cushioning devices operated by levers, each connecting member joined by universal joints to one of the levers and to the other main wheel member whereby all of the levers are operated simultaneously and equally at all times during the operation of the wheel.

6. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a plurality of connecting members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, one main wheel member supplied with cushioning devices, levers hinged to one of the main wheel members and adapted to operate the cushioning devices, each one of the connecting members being joined by universal connections to one of the levers and to the other main wheel member, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball being supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts or" the universal connections from the operation of the Wheel.

7 In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a plurality of connecting members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, one main wheel member supplied with cushioning device, levers hinged to one of the main wheel members and adapted to operate the cushioning devices, each one of the connecting members being joined by universal-connections to one of the levers and to the other main wheel member, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball being supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, and removable face plates for the sockets, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections from the operation of the wheel.

8. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a plurality of connecting members set approx imately parallel to the axis of the wheel, one main wheel member supplied with cushioning devices, levers hinged to one of the main wheel members and adapted to operate the cushioning devices, each one of the connecting members being joined by universal 7 tion comprising a ball and socket, the ball connections to one of the levers and to the other main wheel member, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball being supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface and being removably attached to its support, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted tobear. inwardly against the other part of the universal connection whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections from the operation of the wheel. 7 V

9. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a. main wheel member containing a tread, a plurality of connecting members set approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel, one main wheel'member supplied with cushioningdevices, levers hinged to one of the main wheel members and adapted to operate the cushioningdevices, each. one of the connecting members being joined by universal connections to one of the levers and to the otherv main wheel member, each universal connecbeing supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, onepart of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adaptedv to bear inwardly againstthe other part of the universal connection whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connecting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections from the operation of the wheel, all of the parts named being held together by the tension of the cushioning devices alone whereby the parts can be assembled or separated simply by overcoming the pressure of the cushioning devices.

10. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a mainwheel member containing a tread, and a plurality of connecting members extending approximately parallel, to the axis of the wheel, aplurality of levers hinged to the hub member, a plurality of coiled springs connected with the hub member, and adapted to be operated by the levers, each connecting member joined by universal joints to one of the levers and to the tread member..

11. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheelmember containing a hub, a

main wheel member containing a tread, and.

versal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being, adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection,

universal joints to one of the levers and tothe tread member.

13. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing ahub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a

plurality of connecting members set ap-' proximately parallel; to the axis of the Wheel, levers hinged to the hub member,

and compression springs connected with the hub member andadapted to'be operated by the levers, each connecting member joined by universal connections to one the levers and to the tread member, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket, the ball supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, one'part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection, whereby the parts of the universal connections carried by the connectingmember are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections in the operation of the wheel.

14. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a

plurality of connecting members set aplevers hinged to the hubvmember, and com-- pression springs connected with the hub member and: adapted to be operated by the levers, each connecting member joined by universal connections to one of the levers and to the-tread-member, each universal connectioncomprising a: ball and socket, the ball supported from the side opposite to its bearing surface, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted :to bear inwardly'against. the other part of the universal connection; whereby the parts of the universal connections carriedbythe con-' necting member are pulled against the other parts of the universal connections in the operation of the wheel, all of the parts named being held together by the tension of the compression springs alone whereby the parts can be assembled or separated simply by overcoming the pressure of the springs.

15. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub and provided with parts of universal connections, a main wheel member containing a tread and provided with parts of universal connections, suitable cushioning devices, a plurality of connecting members provided with the complementary parts of the universal connections, the connecting members being adapted to be slipped into engagement with the parts of the universal connections carried by the main wheel members so as to assemble the wheel, when the cushioning devices are put under suflicient tension, and the cushioning devices being adapted to hold the parts together when so assembled.

16. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub and provided with parts of universal connections a main wheel member containing a tread and provided with parts of universal connections, suitable spring devices, connecting members provided with the complementary parts of the universal connections, the parts otthe universal connections on the connecting members being adapted to be sprung into or out of engagement with the parts of the universal connections on the main Wheel members by subjecting the springs to great tension, the springs operating to hold all the parts in engagement with one another when once assembled.

1'7. In a resilient wheel the combination of a wheel member containing a hub, a wheel member containing a tread,two series of compression springs, two series of levers and a plurality of connecting devices, one series or" the compression springs disposed on each side of the hub member, one series of the levers disposed on each side of the hub member and adapted to operate the springs each connecting device connected at one end by universal connection to one of the levers and at the other end to the tread member.

18. In a resilient wheel, the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a series of levers pivoted at their inner ends to the hub member, a series of springs placed parallel with the axis of the wheel between said levers and the hub member, a series of arms projecting from the tread member, connecting members placed substantially parallel with the axis of the wheel and oin ing the outer ends of said levers and arms, and universal joints between said levers and arms and said connecting members.

19. In a resilient wheel, the combination of a main wheel member containinga hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a series of levers pivoted at their inner ends to the hub member, a series of springs placed parallel with the axis of the wheel between said levers and the hub member, a series of arms projecting from the tread member, connecting members adapted to slip over the ends of the levers and arms, and universal connections between the connecting mem-v bers and the levers and arms, one part of each universal connection being supported by the end of the connecting member and being adapted to bear inwardly against the other part of the universal connection.

20. In a resilient wheel, the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a series of levers pivoted at their inner ends to the hub member, a series of springs placed parallel with the axis of the wheel between said levers and the hub member, a series of arms projecting from the tread member, the levers and arms being provided with sockets facing outwardly, connecting members provided with balls projecting inwardly from their ends adapted to fit in the sockets of the levers or arms, and with cross-pieces so shaped as to form a space between them selves and the balls adapted to nicely fit the socketed ends of the levers and arms.

21. In a resilient wheel, the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a se ries of levers pivoted at their inner ends to the hub member, a series of springs placed parallel with the axis of the wheel between said levers and the hub member, a series of arms projecting from the tread member, connecting members placed substantially parallel with the axis of the Wheel and joining the outer ends of said levers and arms, and universal joints between said levers and said connecting members, the balls having longitudinal lubricating passages.

22. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing a hub, a main wheel member containing a tread, a series of levers pivoted at their inner ends to the hub member, a series of springs placed parallel with the axis of the wheel between said levers and the hub member, a series of arms projecting from the tread member, connecting members placed substantially parallel with the axis of the wheel and joining the outer ends of the said levers and arms, and universal joints between said levers and said connecting members.

23. In a resilient wheel the combination of a wheel member containing a hub, a wheel member containing a tread, suitable cushioning devices and universal connections joining together the two wheel members, each universal connection comprising a ball and socket with the ball supported by its connection on the opposite side of the ball from the socket, so that the entire convex surface of a complete segment of the ball is always in operative contact with the survface of the socket.v

24. In a resilient wheel the combination of a wheel member containing a hub, a wheel member containing a tread, suitable cushioning devices, and universal connections joining together the two wheel members, each universal connection comprising a ball and a socket, the-socket containing an unbroken surface in: the form of asegment of a sphere, the ball and socket beingso arranged: that the entire convex surface of a complete segment of the ball is always in operative contact with the surface of the socket whereby the life of the bearings is greatly prolonged. 25; In aresilient wheel the combinationv of a main wheel member containing ahub, a main wheel member contamlng a tread,

levers fulcrumed on one of the main wheel porting the balls being attached to the balls on the opposite side of the balls from the sockets.

27. In a resilient wheel, the combination of a hub member and a tread member, radially arranged levers fulcrumed on one member, springs adapted to be compressed by a movement of the levers in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel,

connecting members extending substantially the otherrmember, the balls being supported on their sides opposite their sockets.

29 In a resilient wheel, the combination of a hub member and: a tread member, levers ful crumed on one member, springs adapted to. be compressed by a movement of the levers in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel, connectingmembersex tending substantially parallel to the axis of the'wheel and ball and socket joints for connecting said connecting members with said levers and with the other member.

30. In a resilient wheel the combination of a main wheel member containing. a hub,

amain wheel membercontaining a tread, T

levers fulcrumed on one of said main wheel members, cushioning devices adapted to be operated by said levers, and connecting members extending approximately parallel to the axis of the wheel for connecting the said levers with the otherfmain wheel mem-,

ber by universal joints, Wherebyall of the levers are operated simultaneously and equally at all times duringthe operation of the wheel. I

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN F. SIPE. HARRY E. SIPE.

Witnesses:

EDWIN SEGER, JOHN O. GEMPLER.

copies 0! thin patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G." v 

